The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1887-06-11


quickly across the garden. The professor
appeared on the portico with his hair blown
about and his eyes scared and starting from
under his shaggy gray brows.
"Carina, carina," he suffered, and seizng
Francesca's hand he drow her into the large
stone kitchen
There was quite q crowd about the door
that opened on the street. Old Annunziata
had fallen on n chair with her apron flung
over her head She was trembling like an
aspen leaf. Handsome young Tito Giu-
seple's lad, stood near her with his arm in Il
sling and his uniform torn and dusty. Pretty
httic Liza hung proudly on his looks.
"Ecco Ia siSnorina," whispered the crowd
at the door,
"Ecco." Tito bowed to Francesca who ell
veloped him in gaze of spcechless entreaty
I'VE have had glorious victory, signor-
ina. The Signor Antonio was the bravest of
the brave. He laughed at danger. Where
the bullets fell thickcst there was tho Signor
Antonio. But-the gallant signor is much
wounded, signorina. A cannon ball took off
his left arm. He is in the hospital and they
say he will recover. II Garibal,li shook hands
with our signor. II Signor Re has visited
him i'll the hospital"
The terrible tension of suspense was over.
| He was alive. What mattered ANYTHING SO
that he yet liveda
And the victory, signorina The Carl
haldili have gained the day everywhere"-
Francesca threw herself on her knees by
Amnunziata and drew the apron from her
face The throng melted away from the
door. She pulled the old trembling head
down upon her bosom.
"Nunziata-Nunziata,m mia," she sobbed
| Annunziata's heart was soothctl, thus rocked
| in the arms of the child she had received into
the world. They mingled their tears and
lamentations, while thcpoor professore looked
on with moist, pcering eyes and q sympathy
he knew not how to express.
"Ecco our Sisnor Antonio!" screamed An
nnnziata from tho window, frantically way
ing her handkerchief.
He had come!
y shadow darEened the portico, and An
tonic walked out into the rich, broad light
Francesca stood motionless and spellbounl.
Her heart shrank with a sudden, agonizing
pain as she saw in a rapid glance the change
wrought i'll his fine figure and handsome face
a sharp stab of irrcWrublc sorrow pierced
her when she noticed the empty sleeve pinned
across his breast. Were those pale, wasted
cheeks Antomos' The ghastly creases and
scars on his neck turned her sick with pity.
Her soul was swept by great winds of re-
morse and yrarning and devotion.
She stretched out her little hands as sl,c
| lartel toward him.
"Tonio, Tonic il mio Tonio!" she cried.
She looked up 10 him, and deep love and
trembling and fear were like chasing lights
on her face. Ah! his eyes were the SANE.
Those tender eyes were homes of rest
"Cescarina,' he said, softly, and they were
locked in close embrace.
why do you tremblc, Tonic mo.' She
asked.
| There was no answer. But Antonio bent
| down and kissed her lips
The birds as they flew i'll and out of the
branches. the flowers that sprang under the
blue expanse above, tho ccada chirpng in
the grass, the green and copper colurcd liz
ards baSking in the sun-all these, bright
things knew that Francesca had always
loved Antonio, although her imagination had
been tllzzle'l and her vanity flatterc,l by the
brilliant stranger
~ great calm came down on Francesca as
her head nestled against Antonio's breast,
with his big arm wound protcctngly round
| her. 1t was peace and love. Life would never
more he torn by stormy passions, or tortured
| by wounded pride and llumbled maiden mod
esty.
Dear, dear Antonio; brave. true soul! She
would never tease him again by childish
caprices.
From the deep arched heavens fell voices
uttering the inctfablo word love. The wind
murmurcl in the trocs and the leaves wlis
| rcred peace. The scent of the rich red roses
was love, and the perfume of the cLaliccel Ill
les peace The crisp splash of the fountain as
it broke and lost itself in the marble basin
was ripple of love. The s,lnbcanls ,ls they
| glanced and trcmlled in the radiant air were
threads from tho weaving of love and peace
that lies deep in the infinite heart of things